GERRY BOBSIEN
Gerry Bobsien is a Newcastle based writer, artist and curator. She is particularly interested in the collaborative processes of artists and writers and is currently engaged in a major art project for the Lock-Up Cultural Centre, Brought to Light. Gerry recently published her first YA novel, Surf Ache.

Surf Ache is a story about a family who embark on a sea-change moving from Melbourne to the coastal city of Newcastle. It's about the crazy impact this move has on the kids in the family, Ella and Creaky, and the resilience of young people to handle change. Ella is fifteen and finds herself in a new town having to start all over again leaving behind a full and happy life complete with best friend and boyfriend. In Newcastle, Ella doesn't know who to be or what to do but she slowly starts to make new friends. A dancer for most of her young life, Ella is thrown into a new world where surfing is the city's obsession and she takes it on with all the joy of a new challenge. Through Ella's newfound love of the sea, we learn a few secrets about her mum's controversial past as a gun surfer. Above all, this is a story about family and love and the secrets we keep.

Gerry Bobsien graduated from the University of Technology in 1993 with a BA Communications and went on to gain a graduate Diploma in IT and archival research. Concurrent to various jobs as a librarian and media advisor, she trained in the trade of industrial blacksmithing and fabrication engineering. She has worked in an industrial forge in Melbourne making tools and large architectural works and, alongside her husband, operates a studio artmetal business called Fe26. She surfs most mornings at Bar Beach Newcastle.

Until recently she was Public Art Curator at Newcastle Region Art Gallery and is now Director of the Lock-up cultural centre in Newcastle. She guest lectures in public art at the Newcastle Art School and The University of Newcastle, NSW and is a post-graduate student in the faculty of Education and Art at The University of Newcastle. As director of the Lock-Up Cultural Centre, Gerry has developed innovative education programs including The Little Architects, a series of hands-on workshops for creative and inquiring young people.

The program has highly regarded and internationally renowned architect Glenn Murcutt as patron and explores architecture, the city, sustainability, art, culture and design in a variety of fun and practical ways.

Gerry is interested in engaging young people in conversations about creativity, art, writing and design.

Links:
www.surfache.squarespace.com
www.thelockup.info

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